Concert band for Cooma

Local instrumental teachers Phil Horneman and Matthew Ventura visited Cooma Public School late last year with the aim of re-establishing a concert band program for 2013 in the district.

They demonstrated a range of instruments the students might be interested in playing in a concert band, including the trumpet, trombone, bass guitar, drums and keyboard, flute, clarinet and saxophone.

Mr Horneman said students had the opportunity to ask questions and try the instruments out.

"Students tried to get sounds out of the various mouth pieces," Mr Horneman said.

"I started a program in 2003 which ran successfully for three years, and the principal Stephen Mayhew, believes the time is right to do it again.

"The idea for the concert band was explained to the students and some parents at the school.

"I am really excited about the band program and interest is piling up, with students and parents embracing the chance to participate in the performing arts as part of the regular school routine.

"Upper primary school students are at an ideal age or starting point as they learn very quickly and are very enthusiastic.

"The school is well set up with instruments and we will run small group lessons with one to four students and develop a music culture in the school."

After 15 years at Snowy Mountains Christian School where Mr Horneman built up a high quality band program, he is looking forward to developing the concert band program at Cooma Public School as well as extending Jindabyne Central School's band program.

"I will probably run a recorder class as well before school for some of the younger students."